Starting device for race tracks



R. C. STEWART STARTING DEVICE FOR RACE TRACKS Jan. 8, 1929 4 Sheets-Shet Filed Dec. 2'7, 192'! INVENTOR:

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 8, 1929.

. R. c. STEWART STARTING DEVICE FOR RACE TRACKS T Filed Dec. 27, 1927 was ilwwvwvwwwwww www R. C. STEWART STARTING DEVICE FOR RACE TRACKS Jan. 8, 1929.

4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Dec. 27,, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 R. C. STEWART Filed Dec. 27, 1927 STARTING DEVICE FOR RACE TRACKS Jan. 8, 1929.

IN VE N TOR:

Patented Jan. 8, 1929.

esaesi UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD C. STEWART, OF COVINGTON, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOB TO THE STEWART IRON WORKS COMPANY, OF COVINGTON, KENTUCKY, A CORPORATION OF. KENTUCKY.

STARTING DEVICE FOR RACE TRACKS.

Application flle d necember 27, 1927. Serial No. 242,615.

In starting races at race-tracks it has heretofore been a diflicult matter to line up the horses for proper starting, resulting in many false starts. experience that horses and jockeys have been injured in efforts to properly line uplor pos i-. tion the horses for starting, and t oroug bred horses have been injured b the rearlng or plunging of themselves or teir companions in efl'orts to obtain proper starts.

It is the object of my invention to provide means whereby injury to horse or jockey due to the reasons mentioned may be minimized or avoided; further, toprovlde-novel means for positioning the horses for starting in the race and for removing obstructing portions of the positioning means away from the track for preventing interference thereof with the race; further, to provide movable partitions for forming stalls atthe race-track, and

means for moving said partitions quickly for non-interference with the race; further, to provide means for suspending the partitions and moving the partitions crosswise of the track to form stalls in which the horses may be placed so as to be headed lengthwise of the track; further, to provide means for quickly moving the partitions laterally .away from therunning part of the track; further, to provide means whereby to raise and lower the partitions with relation to the running surface of the track; further, to provide novel means for laterally positioning the partitions for forming the stalls arranged crosswise of the track; further, to provide novel means for limiting relative movement between the partitions for forming the stalls; further, to provide novel means whereby to control the number of stalls arranged crosswise of the track; and, further, to provide novel means to arrange .the partitions with relation to the crosswise inclination of the track.

While I show and-describe my invention as applicable to horse racing, it will be readily understood that the same is applicable to racing of other characters, for instance of dogs and other racing animals.

The invention will be further readily understood from the following description and claims, and from the drawings, in which latter: 7

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved device shown in set-up relation.

Fig. 2 is a similar vlew, partly broken It has alsoheretofore been the away, showing the stalls in retracted positions. I

Fig. 3 is an end view of my improveddev1ce,yviewed from the operating end, and partly broken away.

Fig. 4 is a central vertical longitudinal seetion of a detail of the take-up end of the sam Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section of my improved device, taken in the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, and partly broken away.

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section of a detail of the same, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 .is a vertical longitudinal section of a detail of the same, taken in the plane of the line 77 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a detail of the limiting means for the partitions.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section of a'detail of the partition, taken on the line 99 of ,Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a cross-section of a detail of the suspending means for the girder, taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a rear view of a detail of the stalls.

Fig. 12 is a front elevation of my improved degice, showing a modification of the same; an

Fig. 13 is a cross-section of the same, taken on the line 13-13 of Fig. 12.

The race-track is shown at 21, which rep resents the roadway along which the horses move. At the respective sides of the track there is usually an outer rail 22 and an inner rail 23. This would place the judges stand at the right in Fig. 1, and the grand stand at the left in Fig. 1, assuming that the starting point and the finishing point of the race is the same. V

The roadway of the track'is usually inclined or banked in round or oval courses, or in fact all race courses other than straightaway courses. The inclination of the running surface of the track is upwardly toward theouter side of-the track, this inclination varying according to the curvatures of the various portions of the track, the rule being usually that .the shorter the curvature the greater the inclination.

My invention, contemplates the temporary arrangement of stalls crosswise of the track,

so arranged that the same may be employed forthe startof they race, and may be quic y.

moved out of the way of the running portion of the track, in order that if the race passes my improved device, this may be done track, shown imbedded in concrete foundations 27, 28, located in the ground. The posts have a girder 29 between them which spans the track. It is located sulficiently high above the track to rovi de for proper shownas atruss structure, com rising a lower channel iron 31, and an upper inverted chanhead clearance forthe press and jocks s and the devices between the latter and .t e girder, and for avoidingnndue obstruction to the vision of the spectators. This girder is nel. iron 32, the side wings of the channel irons being rigidly connected by suitable truss bars 33 for forming the truss structure.

The respective ends of the girder are rigidly connected with the posts, as byjmeans of Partitions 41 are arranged to he moved lengthwise of the girder to rm stalls 42, and means are provided for holding the partitions in place with suilicient firmnessto permit entry of the horses into the stalls and "for location of the horses in the stalls, and to resist movements of the horses while in the stalls, For accomplishing this the lower ends of the partitions are connected with the roadway. V The artitions are permitted verti cal movement tor this purpose. This vertical movement in the present exemplification is obtained by movement of the support on which the partitions are guided into their respective lateral positions.

This support is in th form of a runway 44, which extends lengthwise of the girder and is supported from the girder and is arranged to be moved up and down with relation to the irder. The runway is shown of inverted U- orm in cross-section provided with lower flanges 45 having inner up-tnrned edges 46,

for forming-channels 47 in which the wheels 48 of carriers 49 are arranged to travel. These carriers support the partitions. The upper wall of the runway retains the wheels in the channels.

The runway extends lengthwise of the girder .and is guided laterally with relation to the irder by'guide-strips 51,- 52, fixed to the girder and depending therefrom at the respective sides of the runway. 7

A shaft 55 extends len hwise of the girder, and is supported in suite le bearings, suitably placed insufficient number along the length of the shaft to properly supportthe shaft.

The shaft is exemplified as a hollow tube.

The bearin s are shown as rollers 56 at the respective-skies of the shaft, forming a depression in which the shaft is supported. Each of the rollers is mounted on an axle 57 journaled in,ball-bearings 58 on a bearing-block 59 fixedin the hollow ofthe girder. The runway extends throughout the length of desired travel of the partitions and the shaft, extends substantially throughout the length of the runway. 1

At suitable points lengthwise of the shaft it is provided with sheaves. 61 fixed-to the shaft. Cables 62 are received about the sheaves. One end of each of the cables is fixed to its sheave, the other end of the cable being fixed to the runway, as by having the ends of its strands spread and suitably leaded in the soclret 630i the runway. 1

A worm-wheel 65 is fixed to the shaft and is. meshed b a worm 66,-fixed to a shaft 67.

a socket-piece 64 fixed to p The shaft 6 is jonrnaledinbearings 68, 69,

in the girder, and in abe'aring 7 0, the shaft b ing provided with an operating handle 71, for manual operation of the shaft, although it is obvious that an electric motoror other powerme'ans may be substituted therefor. Endwise movement of the shaft 67 is prevented bythe location and arrangement of the bearings 68,. 69, in connection therewith and with the worm. r Y

The bearings 56 and the cables 62 are so distributed lengthwise of the girder as to properly support the shaft and to properly support the runway and prevent undue sagging 72 in the bottom wall of the girder of either. The cables 62 pass through holes i The girder is preferably, provided with intermediate supports exemplified as tie-memhere 75,. whichmay be tie-rods or cables, se-

of the tie-member.

' The carriers 49 are exemplified as comprising a frame 85, having bearings 86 shown as ball-bearings therein, in which the axles 87 of the wheels 48 rotate,.the wheels being fixed to the axles. A hanger-rod 88 is suspended from the carrier, and preferably has a slight pivotal movement with relation to the carrier, being shown received in a slot 89 in the carrier and pivoted in said slot by a pivotpin 90. p the partition, and this connection is prefera- The hanger-rod has connection with cured at their upper ends to the upper ends of the posts, as at 7.6, and secured at their bly at the center of gravity of the partition, so that the hanger may be suspended from its carrier and the carrier may travel readily upon its runway without bindin stresses.-

The pivotal connection of the partition with its carrier is provided to maintain the partition vertical during inclined position of proper frictional connection with the operating sheave for travel of the cable upon rotation of the operating sheave. The operating sheave is shown fixed to an axle 94, journaled in bearings 95,-on brackets 96 extending from one of the posts. The sheave is provided with a gear 97 with which a pinion 98 meshes. The pinion is on an operating shaft 99,.journaled in bearings 100 in the brackets 96. An operating handle 101 is suitably connected with the shaft 99 for manual operation of the shaft, although it is obvious that power operation, for instance by means 0 tfm electric motor, may be substituted there- The cable also passes about a pulley 105 on an axle 106 journaled in bearings 107 on brackets 108 fixed to the post 26. The cable stalls, exemplified as an arm 148, shown as a also passes in the form of a transverse stretch 111 lengthwise of the girder, preferably inside the girder, and atthe other end of the girder passes over a pulley 112 on an axle 113 received in bearings 114 of brackets 115 fixed to the post 25. The cable then passes about an idler pulley 116 on an axle 117 received in bearings 118 of a fork 119, which has a tensioning weight 120 thereon forsupplying tension to the entire cable and providing for proper stretched relationthereof.

The cable then passes about a pulley 121 on an axle 122 received in bearings 123 of hangers 124 at one end of the girder. These hangers are exemplified as fixed to the end of the runway 44. v

The cable then passes as a crosswise stretch 125 lengthwise of the girder about a pulley 126 on an axle 127 received in bearings 128 in the brackets 108. The pulley 126 may be journaled on the runway if desired. Itis preferably located below the runway for exerting downward stress upon the carriers. The cable then passes aboutthe sheave. All ofthe bearings may be ball-bearings.

The sheave 93 is locked in its actuated positions by means of alatch 129 received in the .toothespaces 130 in the gear 97.

The partitions are normally ositioned. in idle relation in the space 131 at t e side of the track, passing through a gap 132, preferably in the inside rail 23. The cable 91 is normal- 1 stalls.

as chains provided with snap-hooks 144 at 1y taut and the partitions are normally raised above the level of the ground.

The partitions are normally outside of the running course ofthe track. If a race is to be run, as many of the partitions as are required to provide a stall for each horse in the race are moved crosswise the track, there being preferably one extra stallprovided for at the inner rail, which may .be employed as a passageway by operatives at the track. A further passageway 133 may be provided at the other side of the track.

Distancing members are provided between the partitions to control the width of the stalls and to cause movements of successivr partitions when the end partition, to which the cable is secured, is moved outwardl to form the stalls. Such distancing mem ers are shown as a chain 141, which is secured along its length at points equalin the widths of stalls to the hanger-rods 88 or each of the partitions, as by means of a bolt 142 received through one of the links of the chain and threaded into the hanger-rod.

Flexible connections 143-are also preferably provided at the vrear ends of the stalls to keep the horses from backing out of the These flexible connections are shown their respective ends received in eyes 145 secured to the partitions;

Means are provided for locating the last partition employed in the forming of the .into interfering relation with the hangerrods 88.

A flexible connection 154, for instance a cable, has an end 155 secured to the handle 151, and is received about direction pulleys 156, 157, on the girder, and has a depending end PI'OVldQd'Wltll securing means, for instance eyes 158, arranged to be selectively received about a hook 159 on the post 26..

The arm 148 is normally in interfering relation with the hanger-rods 88. When the partitions are to be moved outwardly, the depending end of the cable is pulled and one of the eyes 158 fastened to the hook 159. As many of the partitions as are desired are then moved outwardly until the second-last partition desired has passed the arm 148. The depending end of the cable is then released, the arm then automatically swinging anger ro into interfering relation with a as i1 stalls, the chains bein thereupon, fastened as of 115,155; partition to be employed, andis-maintamed in interfering relation throughout the use of the stalls. I

Upon operation of the sheave 93 for move ment of the first" artition to which the cable 91 is clamped, t e said partition is movedwith the cable toward the'post 25, and as soonasthe flexible connection 141, between said partition and the next partition becomes taut, this next partition is caused to move,

.- and following partitions are caused to move in the same manner, it bein understood that during such movements t e partitions are. in the present exemplification raised.

above the running surface of the track. When the arm 148 hasbeen moved into interfering relation with the last. partition to be employed in the arrangement of the stalls,

and the flexible connections between the partitions are drawn taut, the latch 129 on the sheave 93 is latched to prevent the sheave.

from turning in either direction.

The partitions are thus held in sus ended position at their proper locations.

' with pointed ends 160 at their respective ends for this purpose.

The chains 14-3 are released at one of their ends and the horses led or ridden into the to cross the rear ends 0 the horses to qll'gvent ;'the horses from backing out of the st A usual startin' tape 161 is positioned at.

the front endso the stalls, the respective ends of the starting tape being held by arms 1162' at the respective sides of. the track and the starting tape held taut between said arms.

The arms are pivoted b pivots 163 to posts down position by means of usual latches 167 164 at the respective si es of the track, and have extensions 165. Springs 166 have their respective ends secured to the ends ofsaid extensions and to the. posts, and normally urge the -arms to swing outwardly and up- 'wardly so as to snap the starting tape away from the front of the horses for the. starting of the race. The arms are normally held in 1 suitably electrically released in usual man- Pner upon the pressing of an electric button.

'1 The partitions are constructed to prevent interference between neighboring horses and to prevent injury tothehorses and the ockeys.

Each of the partitions preferably comprises a framing 171 of tubing. The .sectionsof this tubing aresuitably secured together, as by means of welding or in, other desired manner The partition comprises a lower section 172 having end walls 173, 174, atop wall 175 and a bottom wall 17 formed of e run way 44 is thereu on lowered by rotation of.

the tubing, The forward top corner is preferably rounded, as shown at 177. The end- .walls are preferably extendeddownwardly to form feet 178, which receive; the s'ikes' forming the pointedlower ends 160 o the .7

partitions for readyentry into the running surface of the track. It may be explaine that-this running'surface is usually readilypenetrable for a number of inches, the spikes I penetrating the running surface preferably 15 for a number of inches for proper placement, and so. that the lower wall 176 of the partition is located proximate to the running sur-- face to prevent injury to the horses.

The inner portions of these walls are pro 8o vided with slots 179 in which the edges of' -a panel 180 are received. This panel is shown composed of outerlayers 181 of sheet metal v and an intermediate; layer 182 of wood, for formin a stiff and light panel for-the 'p;'arti-.f.8.'i tionq. Thisrformsfla structure inv whicha;

smoothi faced panel is provided which mer es into rounded edges g to preventinjury to t horse or-his rider. 3 I I 5 A section 185is provided- .abdve thesectiont V, 4

17 2 at one (andofthe' section172,;andprefer-- ably comprises meshed wires 186 secured in a frame 187, which is. fastenedto the walls of the section 185.. These. walls comp ise the end wall 174 of the-partition, an intermediate hanger wall 188, one end of the wall175 as a bottom wall, and .a wall 189 at its top, the

walls being rigidly connected together, as bywelding, as'heretofore stated.

. The upper endof' he-front eted, as by means of a transverse slanting 'mmber 190, to the hanger-rod 88, and rigidly connected therewith, This hanger-rod is shown as a continuation of the wall 188.' The center of gravityof the structure'is referably in the line of the hanger-rod so t at the partition is hung balanced from the carrier in' front andrear direction.

In the exemplification of my invention shown in Fig.1, the girder is shown parallel with the running surface of. the track. In this example the runway is lowered to equal extent'throughout its length. In the modification shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the girder is shown in a horizontal plane, the running surface of the trackbeing at an inclination to .the girder. The partitlons are shown low ered to different extents to cause engagement between' the lower ends of-the partitions and the track, the runway being exemplified as .lowered'to different extents along its length for efiecting such lowering of the partitions. For accomplishing this I'have exemplified thesheaves on the shaft 55 as of different diameters, as shown by the sheaves 611., The v diameters of the sheaves increase toward the low side ofthe track. (The cables 621 are of increasing lengths toward the low side of the track. These cables .have their' respective ends secured to the sheaves and to the run 139 wall is .brackm9 way in manner similar to the securing of the cables 62. It isdesirable that the portions of the depzendin stretches received through the holes 2 int e girder depend in verticaldirection. Direction pulleys 191 rotatable in brackets 192 secured to the girder adjacent to the holes, are arranged to accomplish this. I have shown such a direction pulley-at one side of the hole in Fig. 13, although it is obvious that the pulley may be located at one side of said hole or at both sides of said holes.

When now the shaft 55 is turnedfor lowering the partitions,'the sheaves being of different diameters lengthwise of the shaft, will unwind portions of the cables of different lengths, so that as the cables are unwound the runway will assume a slanting position, in order that the lower ends of all of the partitions engage the runway of the track at the same time, while the runway is securely supported throughout its length, due to the different diameters of the various sheaves and the different lengths of cables thereon.-

When it is desired to raise the partitions, the turning of the shaft 55 will raise the runway different extents throughout its length, for causing substantial parallelism between the runway and the girder when the runwaynormal positions in the space 131. The arm 148 may be placed in interfering relation with the first partitionso as to hold all of the upper ends of the partitions in said space.

When it is desired to move the partitions for forming the stalls, the'bar 195 is removed and the arm 148 is shifted into unobstructing position and held by connection of one of the eyes 158with the hook 159. The handle 101 of the winding unit is then turned for causing travel of the stretches of the cable along the overhead support. The lower stretch125 of the cable is attached'to the end one of the partitions by the clamp 92. 3 Travel of the lower stretch of the cable toward the opposite post causes travel of the end one of the partitions with this stretch of the cable, until the stretch of the flexible connection 141 between the end partition and the next partition is drawn taut, whereupon the second partition moves with the first one, and succeeding partitions are caused to travel in similar manner. The partitions are in suspended relation during their travel, being held above the surface of the race-track.

Just before the last one'of the partitions it is desired to move to form the desired number of stalls reaches the position of the arm 148, the arm is placed in mterfermg relation with said partition by release of the e e 158 from the hook 159. The turning of the winding sheave is continued until all of the flexible connections 141 have been made taut. The partitions hang suspended in vertical posltlons.

The partitions are then dropped, as by rotation of the shaft 55 by means ofthe hand-1 wheel 71, for causing coaction between the lower ends of the partitions with the roadway, as by the sinking of the pointed ends at the respective ends of the partitions intotheroadway. t

The stalls are then opened by release of one end of the respective chains 143 and the limit side-stepping and lateral shifti movement and rearing of the horses, an conse.-"

quent interference between the horses, and i 95 position the horses for proper starting of the race.

I If the race is of such length as to end at or pass the stalls, the stalls are immediately, after the start of the race has been made, aga1n shifted laterally out of the way of the race-track, so as not to interfere with the race.

This is done by turning. the handle 71 and thereby rotating the shaft 55 and raising the runway 44 for raising the partitions off the, surface of the race-track and suspending the partitions, pulling down the flexible connection 154 and connecting one of the eyes 158 with the hook 159, and rotating the handle 101 in reverse direction, for moving the stretch 125 of the cable in reverse direction, and pulling the end partition toward the space 131. Each of the carriers of the par titions acts on the neighboring carriage for moving all of the partitions out of range of the race-track and inside the rail 23, the bar 195 being preferably put'in place, all of which may be done within a few seconds, so that by the time the horses arrive at the position of my improved starting device, the track 'will be clear for finish of the race in the usual way. During such finish of the race, the end part1- tion may be placed to fill the gap 132.

- A suitable number ofmy improved starting devices may be arranged around the track, so as to provide starting points for at the judges stand and along the grand stand of the race course.

horses admitted into the stalls, the latter The horses heads the start of the race is made. The partitions 9 v races of different distances which will-end' the track. 3:

and the partitions may be caused to travel crosswise of the track from one side or from both sides of the track. The partitions are quickly moved into place and quickly posi tioned crosswise of the track, but a few seconds being necessary to place the partitions to form the stalls or to remove, the same oil. the race-course.

Having thus fully described my invention,

. what I claim as new, and desire to'secure by Letters Patent, is: I v

1. In a starting device for a race-track, the combination of a girder arranged to'be positioned crosswise of the track, an overhead runway extending lengthwise of said girder, aseries of stall-partitions supported by said runway, means for moving said partitions laterally on said runway, and means for raising and lowering said runway for coaction of said-partitions with said track.

2. In astarting device for a race-track, the

.rt-ombination of an overhead girder, an over- .head runway in association therewith, a series of stall-partitions supported by said runway, flexible propelling means movable in opposite directions lengthwise of said girder,

- means connecting one of said partitions with said propelling means,'andconnecting means between partitions for causing travel of sucressive partitions with said last-named 'artition and for spacing said partitions to orm stalls;

3. Inastarting device for a race-track, the

combination of an overhead girder posi.-.

tioned crosswise above the race-track, an

' I overhead runway in association therewith, a,

means connecting one of said partitions with series of stall-partitions supported by said runway, a propelling means movable in op posite directions lengthwise of said girder,

said propelling means, connecting means between partitions for causing travel of succes rare-track.

an endless cable comprising stretches movable in opposite directions lengthwise of said girder, means connecting one of said partitions with one of said stretches, connecting means between partitions for causing travel of suc'cessivep-artitions with said last-named partition and forspacing said partitions to form stalls, a'shaft, and flexible connections between said shaft and said-runway whereby partitions by rotation r to raise and lower said ofsaid shaft.

v 5. In a starting device for. a race-track, the

combination of an overhead girder arranged to-besupported above racewise of said girder, a series of stall-partitions, carriers on said runway supporting said stallpartitions, means for moving said carriers on said runway, a shaft on said girder, flexible connections between said shaft and said runway, means for connecting said flexible connections to said runway, and means for connecting said flexible connections to said shaft respectively at increasing radial distances from the axis of'saidshaft whereby to cause lowering of said runway to unequal extents at its 0 posite ends for coaction of the lower track, an overhead runway extending lengths. I

ends 0 said partitions with an inclined racetrack under said girder.

6. In a starting device for a race-track, the combination of an overhead runway, a series of stall-partitions suspended from said run-' way, flexible spacing connections between said partitions whereby to laterally space said artitions to form stalls, means for causing ateral travel of an end one of said partitions along said runway, and a shiftable interfer- 'ing part arranged to be placed'in interfering relation with a partition, and-arranged whereby to limit lateral movements of said partitions for spaced relation between said partitions. J I

I 7. In a starting device for a racetrack-thecombination of an overhead runway,-a series of stall-partitions suspended fromsaid runrespective stall-partitions comprisway, sai ing a lower longer section extending lengthwise of the race-track, a vertical shorter section above one endof said lower-longer section, and suspending means at the inner end of said vertical section for arran g the cen- 5 7 ter of gravity of said partition directly below said suspending means. v I 8. In combination, a race-track provided with a rail, an overhead runway extending overhead above said track and beyond said tack outside said railand a series of stall partitions supported by said runway, said partitions movable laterally on said runwag crosswise of said track and outside said rai said rail provided with a gap through which said partitions are arranged to move to. positions above said track and outside said rail;

9. In combination, a race-track' provided with a rail an overhead runway extending overhead above said track and beyond -said ion track outside said rail,,a series of 'stall-parti tions supported by said runway, said partitions movable laterally on said runway crosswise of said track and outside said rail, said.

rail provided witha gap through which "said partitions are arranged to move to positions above said track and outside said rail, and

means in substantiallythe vertical plane of said rail for limiting lateral movements of said partitions. I

' In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed ii icnan' v; "n o STEWART- 

